Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs Teacher – Shahed Rahman

RULES !!CARE IN SENTENCE DESIGN

1. Using Short Sentences2. Limiting Sentence Content3. Economizing on Words 4. Determining Emphasis in Sentence Design 5. Giving the Sentences Unity6. Arranging Sentences for Clarity

CARE IN PARAGRAPH DESIGN 1. Giving Paragraphs Unity 2. Keeping Paragraphs Short 3. Making Good Use of Topic Sentences 4. Leaving out Unnecessary Details 5. Giving the Paragraphs Movement

AdaptationSentence should be adapted

to readersUse the simpler sentence

structures for people who are less able to understand

Use the more complex structures when appropriate

You should aim a little below the level of your reader

Simplification is best for all reader

Using Short SentencesReaders are busy >

Writing efficient you saving their time

Short sentences communicate better because of mind limitations

Short means 16 - 18 words for middle level readers.

But the excessive use of short words in also bad.

Limiting Sentence ContentLimiting content is one way to

make short sentencesSelecting thought units and

making separate sentencesDon’t - when thoughts are closely

related you want to deemphasize on the content

Avoid overdoing this suggestion. Remember too many short sentences give a choppy effect

Economizing on Words

Another way to shorten sentences is through word economy

Seek shorter ways of saying things

Some suggestions: ◦Cluttering Phrases ◦Surplus Words ◦Roundabout Constructions ◦Unnecessary Repetition of Words or

Idea

Cluttering PhrasesAvoid cluttering phrasesSubstitutes shorter expressions

◦Example◦At the present time >> Now◦In the mean time >> Meanwhile ◦In the near future >> Soon ◦On the basis of >> By

Surplus WordsEliminate Surplus Words Eliminate words that add nothing to

sentence meaningWe often use meaningless words as a

matter of habit ◦Example – He ordered a desks that are of the

executive type ----- He ordered executive –type desks

◦There are four rules that should be observed◦Four Rules should be observed

Roundabout ConstructionsAvoid round about ways of saying

things You can say direct or the same

ground in a roundabout way. Direct always communicates better

◦Example – He criticized everyone he came in contact with >> he criticized everyone he met.

◦The department budget can be observed to be decreasing each new year <<< The department budget decreases each year

Unnecessary Repetition of Words or IdeasRepeat words only for effect and

emphasis◦He stated that he believes that we

are responsible >> He stated that he believes we are responsible

◦We must assemble together at 10:30 am in the morning >> We must assemble at 10:30 am

Determining Emphasis in Sentence Design You should give every item its due emphasis

( Importance ) Short sentences emphasize contents Long sentences de-emphasize contents Determining emphasis is a matter of good judgment

◦ Example –

◦ The company lost money last year. The loss occurred in spite of record sales. ( Equal Emphasis )

◦ Although the company enjoyed the record sales last year, it lost money. (Emphasis on the lost money)

◦ The company enjoyed record sales last year, although it lost money. ( Emphasis on the record sales )

Giving the Sentence UnityAll parts of a sentence should

concern one thoughtGood sentence have unityThree causes of unity error

◦Unrelated ideas◦Excessive details ◦illogical Constructions

Unrelated IdeasPlacing unrelated ideas in one

sentence violates unity Its not grammatically wrong You can avoid this error by

◦ Putting unrelated ideas in separate sentences

◦ Subordinating an ideas ◦ Adding word that shows relationship

Mr Jordan is sales manager, and he has a degree in law

Mr Jordan is our sales manager. He has a law degree. ( Separate )

Mr Jordan, Our sales manager, has a law degree ( Subordinating )

Excessive DetailExcessive details is another

cause of lack of unity If the details important put it in a

separate sentenceThis mean again using short

sentence

illogical ConstructionsIllogical construction can rob a

sentence of unity Active and Passive voice in the

same sentence can violate unity -First we cut prices, and then quality was reduced >>> First we cut prices and then we reduced quality

Arranging Sentences for Clarity Clear writing requires that you

follow the established rules of grammar

These rules are based on custom and logical relationships

Do a proof reading

CARE IN PARAGRAPH DESIGNGive the paragraphs Unity

◦ The contents of a paragraph should concern one topic or idea (unity )

◦ But unity can vary in breadth.◦ Paragraphs unity concern a narrow topic

Keeping Paragraphs short◦ Generally paragraphs should be short ◦ Short paragraphs show organization better

than long ones◦ Most readers prefer to read short paragraphs ◦ About eight lines is a good average length ◦ But length can vary with need

CARE IN PARAGRAPH DESIGN

Making Good Use of Topic Sentences◦ Topic sentences can help make good paragraphs ◦ Not every paragraphs must have a topic ◦ Placement of the topic sentence depends on the

writer’s planLeaving out Unnecessary Detail

◦ In writing paragraphs, leave out unnecessary information

◦ But deciding what to include is a matter of judgment

CARE IN PARAGRAPH DESIGNGiving the Paragraphs

Movement ◦Good writing has

movement◦Movement is the

writing quality that takes the reader towards the goal with a logical step – without side trips and backward shifts.

◦The progress is steadily forward

Next Week Midterm Exam Please go through with the first

three chapters. Make sure you read all the

contents of the chapter